The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-24
South River Items.

In the village and immediate vicinity Of
Fish rsville there were last week four deaths
Mr. John Hamilton, one of the oldest and
most highly esteemed citizens of the county,
of whose death the VIRGINIAN has already CIV
en- an account; Mrs. William Groomes, a lady
of the most amiable character and one whose
friends could only be numbered by the extent
of her acquaintance, for all, both rich and
poor, loved Mrs. Groomes;H John Brennaman, fol
long time citizen of this county, bnt who
for some years had spent his time in travelling
in different sections-Mr. B. came to his sis
ters's (Mrs. Baker, month or two ago quite
broken in health, and never rallied and Miss
Eva Timberlake, daughter of s. NJ. Timberlake,
Esq, a Young lady whose lovely traits of char
acter had endeared her to very large circle of
friends. There was general outpouring of the
sympathzng friends of the family atithe funer-
al of Miss Eva, as there had been at the preced-
ing funerals.
Mrs. Daniel Yount died at the residence of
her husband, near Crimora Station, on Friday
last at p. M. Mrs. Yount was scarcely 35, and
was before marriage, Miss Berger, having
lived most of her life within a few miles of the
place of her death. She had a large circle of
relatives. and large concourse of people at
tended her funeral
There is q scarcity of news in this section.
Winter seems to have concluded to retire, but
these chilly days and nights show that it is
with reluctance that he gives way.
The fair warm day i'll the early part of Feb.
brought the buds to a very forward state on
many kinds of fruit trees, and this fact gives
fruit growers great uneasiness, lest late
freeze catch the fruit in the bud and, as often
occurs, destroy the whole crop. This was the
case last year, but Notwithstanding these late
kills and other drawbacks known to growers of
fruit, the planting OF orchards still goes bravely
on and in few years more this will be most
noted fruit producing section.
1t would surprise those who knew this coun-
try ten years ago, when there was then only
here and there an orchard of any size, to see
what an advance has been made in fruit cult
IRE. There is scarcely farm now without o
good-sized orchard of the finest variety of fruit.
Some of our farmers have planted large Or
chards of the LeConte pear, and these thrifty
and beautiful trees are growing at most as
touishing rate.
saw a tree in Central Point Nursery grounds
that showed 43 branches that had made each
seven feet growth in one season. This variety
of tree has made ten feet growth in one year
One tree that stood in the nursery row last
year made over eight feet This is very re-
markable, but these trees can be SEEM at any
time and by any one curious enough to want to
see them.
Damsons and plums are not doing very well
in any part of our district as far as I can learn
They are being killed out by that ugly knoI
hat has been more or less common for years
on trees of that kind.
The man who first learns the cause and finds
a means to rid these trees of that fatal blight
will be benefactor.
However, the Shropshire damson has been
found to resist both the knot Gin the tree) and
the curculios in the fruit, to great extent,
but not altogether.
sThe curculos may be entirely destroyed by fol-
lowing this simple plan: When you see the
bloom about to drop on the damson and plum
trees, take as many corn cobs as you may
think necessary (about two to each tree) and
soak them in mixture of molasses and strych-
nine and water. Hang these cobs in your
trees and when the little pests come to go to
work he will be attracted by the swee t-scented
cob and go to work on it instead of the fruit
AS a matter of course that fixes him and saves
the fruit.
The Central Point Nursery is driving a fine
trade through it's active agents. George A. Coy
ner will have his hands fuller this spIing than
he has ever had in his life. and will have to
dodge as fast as red worm on a hot shovel.
Some business will be done this spring in the
May Apple root business, as there is a demand
for it on the market,-a good chance for boys
to make an honest penny.
A company VIII be organized at an early day
in the summer, looking to the harvesting and
sale of sumac, of which there is a great deal in
our county; this is quite an industry on the
Nelson side of the Blue Ridge.
"Can ginseng be probably cultivated?" Is a
question being asked from many quarters.
Wheat looks well. Flowing for corn advanced.
A good crop of oats will be sown.
ROVER.